SYDNEY: Highly anticipated new Jeep C-segment SUV is confirmed a reality by Jeep’s chief of International Product Planning, Adrian Van Campenhout.
Campenhout is the man responsible for giving the go ahead on new global models for the SUV-exclusive company under Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Jeep is now in need of volume-selling products to improve the brand’s sales, and Adrian commented that the Renegade is “ungodly expensive” for several emerging markets, which is why a model needs to be slotted beneath it. He did not reveal any specifics, but it is believed that the new crossover will be based on the platform of Fiat Panda, or a Brazilian platform. He added, “We have some really good folks down in Brazil that do some fantastic low-cost platforms.”
New sub-Renegade SUV is targeted at emerging markets like Indian and Brazil.
Last October, we reported that FCA was working on making India a global manufacturing hub for a new affordable Jeep SUV, and the plans were to manufacture 60,000 units of this new C-segment product in India by 2017.
The new entry-level Jeep SUV would be priced in Rs. 20 – Rs. 25 lakh range, to compete with Toyota Fortuner and the like. We also learnt that the Crossover will be offered with both petrol and diesel engines, both will be of 2.0 litre 4-cylinder configuration.
